FC Utrecht v Heracles Preview | Can the side from the Cathedral City keep up their unlikely early season title challenge?

FC Utrecht have been one of the stories of the season so far in the Eredivisie. After 10 games the side sit in third place, just five points off of PSV in top spot with a game in hand. A win on Friday night could move them into second place for the time being and within two points of PSV. Ron Jan’s side have won eight of their opening 10 games, with just one defeat coming against Feyenoord. On loan Eintracht Frankfurt man Paxten Aaronson leads the side with three goals and one assist, while summer signing Noah Ohio also has three goals. Moroccan defender Souffian Elkarouani has been in great form as well, with three assists from left back in 10 games. At home, Utrecht have won four and lost one, scoring nine goals and conceding seven. They have the fifth best home record in the Eredivisie.

Their opponents Heracles had a slow start to the season, only grabbing their first win in matchday six. After a close defeat to Ajax they were thumped by FC Twente at the end of October. They have since won two on the bounce, one being int he cup against amateur side FC Winterswijk and lats week against NAC Breda. The side have picked up four points away from home in five matches. Summer signing Luka Kulenovic has been in decent form since moving from Slovan Liberec in the Czech league, The striker has four goals in seven games. Midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker has been the sides most consistent player so far, with three goals and one assist to go with some strong performances.

Last season Utrecht won both of the fixtures between these sides. They won 3-1 away before a narrow 1-0 win back in February at home.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson – Author of The Africa Cup of Nations: The History of an Underappreciated Tournament